Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. In “All the Years of Her Life,” the character Alfred undergoes a significant transformation.

• How does Alfred change in “All the Years of Her Life”? (topic sentence)
• What is the significance of shoplifting in Alfred’s life? How does his shoplifting from Mr. Carr set the stage for his transformation?
• In your closing sentences, reflect on the overall significance of Alfred’s character development and its impact on the story. Consider the author’s purpose in portraying Alfred’s growth and the themes of responsibility and consequences.

2. The theme of parental love and guidance is prominently portrayed through the character of Alfred’s mother in “All the Years of Her Life.”

• How does the behavior of Alfred’s mother affect his developing maturity in the story? (topic sentence)
• Provide specific examples of how her actions and words influence Alfred’s choices and growth.